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Wine + Dinner = True Love at Toulouse

I’m afraid I’m developing quite an addiction for wine dinners – what’s not to love?

Perfectly paired dishes with exquisite wines and the chance to hear the actual winemaker tell about the soil, the weather, and all of the things that intricately help make this wine what it has become? Yes, please. It’s a pleasure to hear them speak because they love what they do and what they create. It’s educational AND delicious!

Since my first ever wine dinner experience at Pacci was so wonderful, I jumped at the opportunity to attend the Dine Around Dinner at Toulouse in Buckhead last night. It was a new event as part of the High Museum Wine Auction going on this weekend, and Toulouse created a seven course dinner based on the wines of two California wineries, Niner Wine Estates and Lancaster Estate, with a part of the proceeds going towards the High Museum.

We listened closely as reps from each winery filled us in about each wine as we went thru from course to course. Both reps went the extra mile by sitting down to chat with guests at different tables and answer any questions people had – what a great way to learn. I think I see a visit to California Wine Country in my future!

Because sometimes pictures speak louder than words, I’m sharing a slideshow of my photos from the evening. Follow along with the menu online if you wish! Every dish was delightful and I can’t wait to go back and try Toulouse again soon.

Hurry into Marlow's Tavern before Bayou n' Bourbon ends!

The Mardi Gras-themed menu at Marlow’s Tavern will be saying goodbye and rolling back to the bayou on Monday, March 29. This weekend is your last chance to taste the flavors of Bayou n’ Bourbon. The thought of food down in the bayou has me salivating already. Is it lunch time yet??? If you're a meat lover like me, then you'll enjoy the Bayou Burger. The fresh ground beef is mixed with Andouille sausage and has craw dads on the burger. That's three meats in one burger, I call that heaven!

To wash down the food, I recommend the Marlow's Sazerac. The drink just reminds me of being in the French Quarter and Bourbon St. Well, I'm not sure if I even remember being on Bourbon St., I may have had too many Sazeracs, but that's another story I won't get in to. So just laisser les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll) and head into the nearest Marlow's to enjoy a po'boy, jambalaya, gumbo or a cold Abita Jockamo!

Marlow's Tavern: Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; and Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033.

Uncork a Journey This Weekend

In case you haven't already heard, this weekend marks the 18th Annual High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction, one of the city's most popular events. From March 25 - 27, the nationally ranked wine auction will include several exciting food and wine events. If that doesn't have you revved up already, there is an extra element to this year's festivities: the March opening of The Allure of the Automobile exhibition at the High Museum of Art.

The custom-built schedule of activites includes events at The Cook's Warehouse - Midtown and The St. Regis Atlanta, winemaker dinners, wine seminars, the Beep Beep, Beep Beep, Yeah!: Vintners' Cup Golf Tournament at Eastlake Golf Club and the Vintners' Reception and Wine Auction under the tents at Atlantic Station on Saturday. Pacci Ristorante, Spice Market and Toulouse are Dine Around Dinner destinations on March 25. Aqua blue, Aria, JCT. Kitchen & Bar and Woodfire Grill also are participating in the weekend events.

Click here for more details.

Hawkes Returns to Aria

Jake Hawkes is back in town tonight for Aria's latest Hawkes Winery dinner. A year and a half ago Jake and Gerry presented a fun-filled evening to a sold out crowd. Tonight at 7 p.m. guests will have the chance to enjoy Jake's passion and knowledge of wine as well as Chef Gerry Klaskala's skillful and creative spring menu.

Wines for the evening include a Home Ranch Chardonnay, 2005 "Red Winery Road" Vineyard Cabernet, 2005 Pyramid Vineyard Cabernet, 2005 Stone Vineyard Cabernet and 2009 Botrytis Semillon barrel sample. Chef Klaskala's menu will feature whole spring lamb prepared in a variety of ways. The dinner is $90 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) and reservations are a must so call quickly if you are planning to attend!

Hippity Hoppity, Easter's On Its Way!

Get those pretty bonnets and shiny patent shoes ready!  With Easter arriving on April 4th, Atlantans are already making plans on ways to spend the day with family.

In case you missed it, today's issue of The Dish has got you covered on where all the best meals can be found around town, as well as where the Easter Bunny will be wanting to stock up on chocolates to create the loveliest baskets.  Check out our list and make your reservations now for a very hoppy Easter day!

Scotch-licious

Last night, I attended a Glenlivet Scotch Tasting at Morton's The Steakhouse in Downtown Atlanta. As I've mentioned in a previous post, I am not a Scotch drinker, or really even a Scotch liker, at all, but I went in to last night's tasting with high hopes that they could change my mind.

Randy Adams, one of only five Glenlivet Brand Ambassadors, succeeded on all accounts! We sampled the 12 year, the 15 year French oak, the 16 year Nadurra and the 18 year (all paired with Morton's delicious signature appetizers). While I found most of the Scotches a little strong for my taste, I was blown away with the 18 year. It was filled with scents of honey and vanilla and with a splash of water I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

Before the evening ended, I got to draw the name of one lucky participant to win two tickets to The Single Malt and Scotch Whisky Extravaganza at the Intercontinental Buckhead Hotel on Thursday night. Greg was so happy he won that he bought me a drink at the bar afterwards as a thank you! A new appreciation for Scotch, a few mini-steak sandwiches and a complimentary glass of wine later, I've deemed last night a fantastically fun time!

Two for One Wine Dinner at Ray's on the River

Sister wineries Peirson Meyer and L'Angevin will come together over dinner tomorrow evening at Ray's on the River and you're invited! Robbie Meyer, winemaker and co-proprietor of the two California wineries, will be there to talk with guests over the four-course dinner with wine pairings. Executive Chef Tom McEachern's menu deliciously announces spring's arrival: Scottish salmon on blini with mascarpone and English pea soup with lobster skewers paired with 2007 Peirson Meyer Chardonnay, Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast; crab-stuffed Arcadian redfish, fennel and pineapple butter paired with 2007 L'Angevin Chardonnay, Russian River Valley; seared duck breast, truffled red wine risotto, and white and green asparagus with Parmesan foam joined by 2007 L'Angevin Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley; and a cheese course including a plate of goat brie, Comté, blackberry compote and Marcona almonds paired with 2006 Peirson Meyer Pinot Noir, Sonoma Stage Vineyard, Sonoma Coast. The evening concludes with assorted truffles and coffee. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $125 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Seating is limited; call 770-955-1187 to make reservations.

Ray's on the River: 6700 Powers Ferry Road; 770-955-1187.